Suffix Prefix Dictionary is the best online dictionary of biological and medical suffixes and prefixes — and it's free. No registration required. This dictionary defines more biomedical suffixes and prefixes than any other online source, and provides examples of each (many of the examples have links to their definitions in the biology dictionary on this website). The list is alphabetical, which lets you look terms up even if you're not sure about their spellings. The two indexes below, one for prefixes, and one for suffixes, allow you to find prefix and suffix meanings by clicking on the first letter of the particular prefix or suffix you're looking for.
Suffix Prefix Dictionary is a dictionary of affixes (suffixes and prefixes) used by
biologists and physicians in constructing scientific names and terminology. In general,
they are either of Latin or Greek derivation. An affix is a letter or series of
letters attached to the beginning or end of a word, word base, or phrase to produce a
derivative word with a new meaning. For example, in the word termitary, the
suffix -ary, meaning connected with or belonging to, is attached to the end of
the word termite (after dropping the e). So a termitary, a mound where
termites live, is a place belonging to termites.
In general, the suffixes and prefixes used in constructing scientific terminology and med terms are either of Latin or Greek derivation. In constructing these terms, nearly always, a Latin prefix goes with a Latin suffix, and a Greek prefix goes with a Greek suffix. Word parts derived from proper names constitute an important exception.
Proper Names as Prefixes
In scientific names it is also common to use geographic and personal names as prefixes. Suffixes can also be derived from proper names (e.g., "-watt" in megawatt, or "-dalton" in kilodalton), but this is more unusual. Examples of geographic prefixes are altaicus (= residing in the Altai Mountains of Central Asia), europaeus (= European), anatoliensis (= occurring in Anatolia). An example of a personal name used as a prefix is rogersii (= of Rogers). Suffix Prefix Dictionary does not, of course, include the innumerable proper names used as prefixes in the construction of scientific names, but users should consider this possibility when they fail to find a particular prefix here in the dictionary.
Two Spelling Rules:
When a suffix beginning with a consonant is added to a root or prefix ending with a
consonant, a vowel, usually -o-, is added as a connector.
Biological terminology and med terms of Greek or Latin origin ending in -a regularly
drop the -a before a suffix beginning with a vowel:
If you prefer, you can use the search engine below to find suffix and prefix meanings. Enter a search term in the box and click the Search button. The engine will then search through all of the suffix and prefix lists on this site and return any matches. Keep in mind that this search only finds exact matches. So your search term has to be spelled correctly. This search engine can also function as a reverse dictionary (for example, searching with the word yellow will locate the prefixes chloro-, ictero-, luteo-, and xantho-). When you click on the Search button, links to each match found to your search query will be displayed. Click on the links to access the information you seek. Note: This search engine is provided by Google, so ads may appear beside your search results.
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